Costco Wholesale Corporation ("Costco" or the "Company") ( NASDAQ : COST ) announced today its operating results for the first quarter (twelve weeks) of fiscal 2013, ended November 25, 2012.

Net sales for the quarter increased ten percent, to $23.20 billion from $21.18 billion during the first quarter last year. Comparable sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 were as follows:

12 Weeks

U.S. 7%International 9%

Total Company 7%

Inflation in gasoline prices and strengthening foreign currencies had a positive impact on comparable sales. Excluding these effects, comparable sales were as follows:

12 Weeks

U.S. 6%International 7%

Total Company 6%

Net income for the quarter was $416 million, or $.95 per diluted share, compared to $320 million, or $.73 per diluted share, last year. Last year's net income was negatively impacted by a $12 million charge (or $.03 per diluted share) related to settlement of an income tax audit of the Company's Mexico operation, and a $17 million charge (or $.04 per diluted share) related to contributions to an initiative reforming alcoholic beverage laws in Washington State.

Costco currently operates 621 warehouses, including 448 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 85 in Canada, 32 in Mexico, 23 in the United Kingdom, 13 in Japan, nine in Taiwan, eight in Korea, and three in Australia. The Company plans to open one additional new warehouse (Gwangmyeong, Korea) before the end of calendar year 2012. The Company also operates Costco Online, electronic commerce web sites, at www.costco.com (U.S.), www.costco.ca (CN), and www.costco.co.uk(United Kingdom).